“I’m sorry, Trace,” she breathed. “At the beginning I pushed you into this adoption. Neither one of us was close to being ready for a family.”
“That was my fault, too, Kira,” he admitted. “I excluded you. You had a full-time job. I didn’t think you wanted to be involved with the ranch, too.”
She knew how hard it was for him to admit that. “I only wanted to share your life, Trace. Your love for the ranch.”
“I wanted to share your past, too,” he answered, his hurt surfacing. “No matter how bad it was for you. I wanted to share your pain.” He went to her, gripping her arms. “I was never angry that you had a child. God, Kira, you were so young. What you did was so unselfish. You gave your son the best chance at life. No matter what it cost you. I guess my problem was I wished you could have shared it with me.”
“I was wrong not to trust you. But I thought if you knew my secret, I would lose you.”
He reached for her and cupped her face in his hands. “God, Kira. You could never lose me.” He kissed her hard and long, and when he broke away, they were both breathless.
He moved back a fraction, but she could feel his breath on her face. “From the moment I laid eyes on you, I couldn’t think of anything else. You had me spooked as a green colt. You have no idea how many times I drove to the school to see you, then stopped short of going inside. I’d turn around, drive back to the ranch and convince myself that someone as beautiful as you wouldn’t want to go out with me.”
His admission thrilled her. “It took you thirteen days to ask me out, Trace McKane. Thirteen long days.”
He blinked at her statement, then he sobered and said, “I’m not good at saying all the fancy words, Kira. But you need to know that you’re my life. You’re all I ever wanted. The only woman I’ve ever loved.”
With her heart racing, she couldn’t speak.
“I was wrong to exclude you from ranch business,” he went on. “My mother didn’t get involved, so I took it for granted you weren’t interested, either. And when things got tight, I didn’t want you to worry.”
“I wanted to help,” she said. “I’m working, making a salary, too. Besides, you were spending ranch money on all my medical procedures.”
“I’m your husband. It was important to me that I take care of my wife. But I admit, with the adoption costs and the balance due on the loan to Jarrett, it was going to be hard.” He moved closer. “Then Mr. Carlson called from the credit union, saying your loan came through.”
She shrugged. “I knew you’d be upset, but I only did it so you wouldn’t lose everything.”
Trace sighed. He’d never loved Kira as much as he did in that moment. He leaned down and brushed his mouth across hers again. “You’re what’s precious to me, Kira.” Her brown eyes were luminous. “When I came back here this morning and found you gone, I thought you’d left for good. I’ve never been so scared. This ranch doesn’t mean anything to me without you.”
“But you can’t let Jarrett take your land. Please, Trace, don’t be too stubborn to take the money.”
He smiled. “We don’t need it now, as soon as you sign the papers, EnRockies will drill on the land.”
Her brown eyes widened. “Really?”
He nodded. “It’s time we had a little security for our future.”
“Our future?”
“Yes, yours and mine.” He slipped his arms around her. “Like I was saying earlier, I came looking for you because I wanted to convince you to give me another chance. Give us another chance. I promise never to walk out on you again.” His gaze locked with hers. “We’ll have rough times, but we’ll work on them together. When you cry, I’ll hold you. When you’re hurt, I’ll share your pain.” He cupped her face in his hands. “We’ll deal with the joys and disappointments together.”
“Oh, Trace.”
“I love you, Kira. Never forget that.”
“I love you, too, but, children—”
“I told you before, Kira, kids would be a bonus. I married you to share my life.” He sighed. “I guess I’m just going to have to prove it to you.”
His mouth captured hers in a kiss he hoped would convince her just how he felt about her.
Kira was weakening, but Trace always had that power over her. His hands moved over her body; soon she ached with need. She needed him now as never before. She wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. He groaned and yanked her top from her jeans and ran his hand over her stomach.
He broke off the kiss and whispered, “Tell me I haven’t lost you, Kira. That you’ll give us another chance.”
“Oh, yes, Trace.”
He lifted her in his arms as her mouth came down on his. He carried her to the bed, set her down and finished undressing her as his mouth worked over hers, teasing her lips with his tongue. His fingers released the clasp on her bra and let her breasts spill out.
Kira arched her back as his hands cupped her, then his mouth captured the sensitive nipple. She gasped at the pleasure, but his tenderness caught her by surprise.
Trace raised his head. “Did I hurt you?”
She blinked. “Sorry, they’re just a little sensitive.”
He froze. “How sensitive?”
Kira knew what he was asking. She covered his hand and brought it back to her breasts. “Just a little.”
“Damn. The test.” He started to get up, but Kira wouldn’t let go of him.
“Don’t, Trace. Don’t spoil this.” Love and desire for this special man consumed her. “Stay and make love to me.”
His brown hair was mussed, his beautiful gray eyes searched hers. He finally nodded and leaned down. “I promise you, Kira, someday we’ll have a baby. It might take a little longer, but it’ll happen. And together we’ll raise our family. Here. At our home.”
She suddenly felt pretty lucky. That’s what she’d been looking for all her life. “That’s all I need, Trace. Like you said, everything else is a bonus.”
EPILOGUE
IT WAS late afternoon as Kira stood on the porch and watched volunteers set up the tables and portable barbecues for tomorrow’s senior roundup. Although she’d taken off work the past year, she wasn’t about to disappoint this year’s class by canceling their party at the McKane Ranch. So tomorrow there would be about fifty kids and hopefully a lot of parents here.
Michelle had taken over the job of organizer, and she’d even roped Jarrett into helping out. The two seemed to be getting pretty close. So had the two brothers. Jarrett was even going on the roundup with Trace tomorrow.
She shifted little Nathan on her hip. The seven-month-old was getting big. She smiled at the cute little boy. It was hard to believe he’d grown so fast. He was thriving around his extended family.
“Here, I can take him for you.”
She turned to see Cal coming up the steps. “I thought you were helping with setup for tomorrow.”
Nathan reached out for his uncle Cal. “What can I say, I’m organized.” He raised the boy high in his arms, causing him to giggle. “Besides, I promised Jody I’d bring Nathan to the house.”
Kira was proud of Jody. She was working and going to college, plus raising her son. “She’s supposed to be studying for finals.”
“I know, but she wants to give him a bath and spend some time with him before he goes to bed.”
Kira looked toward the foreman’s cottage. The outside had been painted cream with burgundy shutters, and bright flowers lined the porch. Inside was nearly perfect, too. Cal had made sure of that. He’d taken both Jody and little Nathan under his care, playing uncle to the boy. It had been good for both of them.
“I’m worried that Jody isn’t getting enough sleep.”
“I’m getting plenty of sleep.”
They turned as Jody joined them. She’d filled out since the birth of her son. The pretty girl was more sure of herself these days. Why shouldn’t she be with all she’d accomplished this past year?
She was immediately drawn to her
son. “How’s my big boy?”
Nathan grinned showing off his two tiny teeth. She took him from Cal. After a series of kisses, she cuddled him close to her, and said, “I guess I needed a Nathan fix.”
Kira’s chest tightened. She understood the feeling. There was nothing like holding your child close.
“Then I guess…you can have a break,” Kira said.
The girl started down the steps, then paused. “Have I told you lately how much I love you all, you, Cal and Trace? I wouldn’t be able to bathe my baby every night if you all hadn’t been there for me.”
Okay, that made the tears fall as they thought back to the roundup a year ago. “And you’re thanking us by paying it forward.” After Jody graduated, she was going into social work to help troubled teens.
“I’m a long way off before I can do that.”
Cal spoke up. “But the good thing is you’re working toward it. And making us all proud.”
Jody swallowed hard but didn’t speak. Kira saw the emotions play across the girl’s face. All her life Jody hadn’t had many people behind her. Now she had a lot.
Kira waved to Nathan as mother and son left to go home. Their home for as long as they needed it.
Suddenly Kira’s attention was drawn to the corral and to a lone rider. Her stomach got a funny feeling as she watched Trace sit atop Thunder. Her cowboy, husband and lover. Man of her dreams. All of the above.
When Trace spotted her, he tipped his hat and climbed down off the horse. He handed his reins to one of the two ranch hands they’d hired a few months ago. The extra money from the lease helped Trace expand the operation.
He started toward the house in his usual fitted Western shirt and faded jeans covered by rust-brown chaps. She knew he’d been checking the herd that was to be rounded up and branded tomorrow.
By the time Trace climbed the back steps, she felt breathless. Nothing had changed since they’d met. He still had that effect on her.
“Howdy, ma’am,” he said.
She glanced over his dusty clothes. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”
“I do have to work occasionally. I sure could use a shower.” He stepped closer. “Care to join me?”
She smiled. “I might be talked into it.”
His mouth closed over hers nearly before the words were out. The kiss grew deep and thorough, pulling her against him.
Suddenly there was a sound of a cry from the monitor on the railing.
He broke off her kiss with a groan. “Sounds like someone is hungry.”
She nodded. “Okay, you go shower and I’ll feed our daughter.”
He started for the door, but paused. “Oh, I forgot to tell you that a John Kelsey and his son are coming by later to look at the bay mare, Sadie.”
She paused. Trace had gotten into breeding horses this past year. He’d bought the bay mare with the idea of breeding her.
“This could be too good to turn down. Like you.” He bent to kiss her again and the baby let out another hard cry.
“You better get her.”
Kira raced up the steps and into the nursery. In the crib was four-month-old Jenna. “Hey, sweetheart, are you hungry?”
Her daughter whimpered as she waved her tiny arms and legs. Kira picked her up and cradled her precious baby in her arms. She was their miracle. After a quick diaper change, Kira sat in the rocker and unbuttoned her blouse. Once the child was rooted on her breast, Kira began to rock, looking down at the infant who resembled her daddy, but had her own brown eyes.
Kira closed her eyes, recalling the day she nearly lost it all until she let Trace talk her into giving their marriage another chance. They’d promised to love one another and to face whatever happened together.
The pregnancy test had been forgotten until much later when Trace came out of the bathroom holding the colored stick in his hand. That and wearing a big grin.
It showed positive. Kira had gotten pregnant.
After all the trying and praying and testing, she’d finally gotten pregnant. Little Jenna had been conceived the night Trace had learned about her past.
It hadn’t been an easy time. She was high risk from the start, and the last few months had been spent in bed, but she carried their daughter thirty-seven weeks. Born three weeks early at a little over six pounds, the baby was thriving now.
Trace stood in the doorway, amazed at the sight. He blinked, hoping he wasn’t dreaming as he watched his wife feeding their child. He’d never thought this day would come.
There was never a picture so beautiful, and so humbling. Kira had gone through a lot to get here, to have this baby. It took him a long time to understand. Then the day of Jenna’s birth as the doctor put her in his arms, it all became clear. He never thought he could love so completely. Both his girls.
He walked in. “Mind if I join you?”
Kira smiled as she burped their daughter. “Sure.” She switched breasts and soothed Jenna with a calming hand. She turned to him. “You look and smell a lot better.”
He kissed her. “Glad you approve.” He placed a kiss on his daughter’s head, too. “I have plans once Jenna’s had her fill.”
Kira raised an eyebrow. “I thought you had someone coming by.”
“We have time.” He brushed a kiss across her lips, leaving them both wanting more. “I’ll always have time for you and our daughter. You two will always come first.”
“I know. A baby reestablishes your priorities.”
“She makes me realize what’s important in life.”
Kira lifted the baby to her shoulder, patting her gently. It wasn’t long before Jenna fell asleep and Kira carried her back to the crib.
Once the nursery door closed, Trace pulled his wife into his arms and kissed her. Their lips met as he removed her already open blouse. By the time they reached their room, she was half naked.
Kira couldn’t have been happier or more turned on. “This is crazy in the middle of the day.”
“We have to steal the time now wherever possible,” he told her. “It’s nearly five o’clock.” He laid her on the bed and stared down at her. His eyes were filled with need and love.
“Have I told you lately how beautiful you are?”
“Yes, but feel free to elaborate.” Kira helped him undress, her hands aggressively removing his clothes. His chest was broad and muscular, his waist narrow and hips taut and lean. His desire for her was evident.
Kira drew him down on her, loving the feel of him against her, also loving the precious words he whispered as he loved her slowly and completely. She clung to him, laughing and crying at the same time when the release came to them.
Trace pulled her to his side, not releasing his hold. “I love you,” he said breathlessly.
“And I love you, too.”
She sighed contently. “Our life is perfect.”
“Just about,” he said and kissed her forehead. He sat up on the bed. “But I’m hoping it’s about to be.”
Kira didn’t know what her husband was talking about. He’d been showering her with gifts since they’d gotten back together.
“What did you do, Trace?”
“I guess you’ll just have to wait about thirty minutes. Go take a shower and relax.” He stood and began to pull on his jeans. “I’ll listen for Jenna.”
She didn’t wait to be asked twice. She went into the bathroom, showered and shampooed her hair. After she dressed, Kira came downstairs to find Trace holding their daughter in his arms. He was talking to her, and she was making those cute sounds at him.
Trace saw her and his eyes brightened as he gave her the once-over. “Oh, darlin’, you look good.”
She glanced down at her black jeans and bright blouse, then glanced back at him. “You’re not so bad yourself, cowboy.”
He grinned. “Maybe we should go back upstairs.”
“I thought you had a horse buyer coming soon.”
He glanced out the kitchen window. “That would be John Kelsey.” He took a breath
and released it, then looked back at her. “That’s not exactly the truth.”
She stood next to him to see a car pull up in the driveway. “What’s not exactly the truth?”
“John Kelsey and his son, Jack, aren’t coming to look at a horse. They coming to see you, Kira.”
Her eyes narrowed. Trace opened the door and guided her out to the porch. She caught sight of a tall man about forty-five. He smiled at her, then turned to the teenage boy.
Kira’s breath caught when she saw the tall boy with curly blond hair and dark eyes. Her heart began to pound. It couldn’t be. Not after all this time. She’d never hoped, never dreamed.
Tears flooded her eyes. She looked at Trace. “How? Why?”
Trace reached for her with his free hand. “You deserve this, Kira. It’s time you met your son. Besides, Jack wanted to meet you, too.”
She took a needed breath. “Really?” She couldn’t move, but looked down at the boy waiting at the base of the porch.
Kira looked back at her husband. He had given her everything she’d been looking for all her life. He’d held out his hand to prove his support, his promise to share her pain and her joy.
“I’m here, Kira. I’ll always be here.”
It had taken a while, but she finally believe that he truly loved her. This was her home. “I know,” she whispered, then took his hand and they walked down together.
As a family.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-3573-5
THE COWBOY’S BABY
Originally published in the U.K. as HER BABY WISH.
First North American Publication 2009.
Copyright © 2009 by Patricia Wright.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
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